The Cleveland Browns have the No. 2 draft pick in this year’s NFL Draft slated to begin on April 24th, up in Green Bay. We are still a month away and the speculation continues on what the Browns are going to do with this pick. Earlier this week, free agent and veteran QB Russell Wilson agreed to sign a contract with the New York Giants, who currently own the No. 3 draft pick. So this move by the Giants may have a bearing on what other teams in the league, including Cleveland, might do.
In this latest mock draft of the Browns, I stick with the original pick I predicted in my first mock draft a few weeks ago.
Browns No. 2 draft pick: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
I’ve said so since the beginning, and I’m sticking to my original pick that the Browns will draft Sanders. He has all the necessary skills to be a star QB in the NFL and while some will disagree with this assessment, I believe the Browns believe Sanders will succeed in the league.
Cleveland last drafted a QB at No. 1 in Baker Mayfield back in 2018 and it’s time for them to do it again and draft a QB at No. 2.
Cam Ward, the presumed No. 1 QB in this year’s draft, looks to be going to the Tennessee Titans at that No. 1 spot. That leaves the Browns a decision at No. 2. The other two high-profile players being discussed amongst fans are Abdul Carter, a defensive end from Penn State, and Travis Hunter, a wide receiver and cornerback from Colorado.
While either would be a good pick, the Browns get a new franchise quarterback, and Sanders will be that guy for them.
Browns No. 33 draft pick: Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame
Photo courtesy of Imagn
Xavier Watts once played wide receiver, and that knowledge of the position has given him an advantage while playing defense for Notre Dame at the safety position. Over the last two seasons with the Fighting Irish he picked off 13 passes and tackled many opponents, 188 tackles in his time at Notre Dame.
His instincts in the game are rare, and his knack for tracking the ball and being involved even as a run stopper can’t be overlooked. The Browns lost one of their safeties, Juan Thornhill, to free agency, and they need to find his replacement for a team’s defense that was ranked 14th a season ago against the pass.
Browns No. 67 draft pick: Quinshon Judkins, Running Back, Ohio State
Photo courtesy of Imagn
Judkins arrived at Ohio State a year ago and put up another very productive season while sharing backfield duties with Trayveon Henderson. He racked up 1,060 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. Judkins played his first two college seasons at Ole Miss, where he was a menace rumbling for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Cleveland needs a new running back because their best previous back, Nick Chubb, may not return because he’s a free agent, and the other runner, Jerome Ford, isn’t a three-down back.
Judkins is a beast and could be that workhorse the team needs to get back to being one of the best running back rooms in the NFL.
Browns No. 94 draft pick: Gunnar Helm, Tight End, Texas
Photo courtesy of Imagn
The Browns need to bolster their tight end room. Gunnar Helm from Texas had a fantastic season in Austin. He caught 60 passes for 786 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He has a good feel for the game and, at 6’5 is a great target for a future Browns quarterback. He used to play basketball and uses those skill sets to help him be a reliable target.
He is good at settling in open space against opposing defenses and is a difficult player to bring down after the catch because of his excellent balance.
He’s a good blocking tight end which is something to showcase and necessary in a Kevin Stefanski offense.
David Njoku, the Browns’ current tight end, will be entering year nine and probably doesn’t have too many more productive years ahead, so finding a reliable replacement like Helm would be a great decision.
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